Chances for an SMP with this GPA trend?

[MedicallyEnthused]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello all,

To make up for my terrible performance in undergrad (I graduated with a 2.62cGPA, 2.25sGPA), I have been doing a DIY postbacc (2nd bachelor in biochemistry) with the intention to go to an SMP afterwards. I will complete my postbacc in the spring, but am applying before spring grades are released. Because of that and the fact this semester will be a little subpar for what a postbac should be (3.61), I am wondering If I still have a shot at SMPs? In other words, is this enough of an upward trend to apply to SMPs?

So you can see my gpa trend:

Freshman: 3.41 cGPA, 3.07 sGPA, 2 W's
Sophomore: 3.35 cGPA, 2.87 sGPA, 3 W's
Junior: 2.38 cGPA, 2.38 sGPA, 1 W
Senior: 1.90cGPA, 1.73sGPA, 1 W
Cumulative (before postbacc): 2.62cGPA, 2.25sGPA - 155 credits

Postbacc w/ this semester: 3.68 cGPA, 3.66sGPA - 39 credits
-Fall: 5 credits, 3.58 (was working full time)
-Spring: 13 credits, 3.80
-Summer: 3 credits, 4.0
-Fall: 18 credits, 3.58
-The majority of the courses in my postbacc are all quite rigorous senior and junior level biomedical and biochemisty courses.
-Besides A's and A-'s, I have gotten 1 B, and 2 B+'s so far in my postbacc (including this fall).
Cumulative (with postbacc): 2.84 cGPA, 2.59sGPA (2.70 DO sGPA).

I do have another semester (18 credits), where I know I can bring my grades up a bit. I just took some high level biochem courses that were a bit challenging this semester, where my B's are coming from (senior level molecular genetics and physical biochem). I have gotten A's in other senior level (general) biochem courses though, so I don't feel that the spring semester will be as challenging.

I will be taking the MCAT this January, but I feel confident to score a 510+.
Besides stats, I feel like my EC's and LORs are pretty solid

I was just hoping someone can tell me what my chances are at SMPs with this kind of GPA trend (prior to my spring semester).
Also, should I apply to medical school before the start of my SMP (as to go straight into medical school assuming I get in my 1st app cycle), or is this dependent on my MCAT score I get in January?

Thank you in advance.

 

[petomed]

I'm not familiar with getting into SMP's. If a particular program is a money grab like many other master's programs are, then they may let you in knowing you'll be in trouble finding admission to medical school after. If it's not a money grab and they will guarantee you a seat if you achieve X.XX GPA in their program and > XXX MCAT, then roll those dice if you feel you can do it.

As for having < 3.00 GPA and applying to medical school, that's a tough one. Wholistic review is the buzz phase of late, however my understanding is that most schools still have a screening threshold of 3.00 before they'll hand you out a secondary.

There's a person here with excellent stats (including a 4.00 SMP and 519 MCAT) to attempt to overcome their < 3.00 cGPA, however they haven't had any success this cycle. N=1 for sure but having a cGPA < 3.00 really does seem to hurt.

You can of course apply next cycle, you know the other facets of your application better than anyone else. If it were me, I'd prepare to apple for the 2022-2023 cycle, pending my 18 credit semester results. If these put me close to 3.00 cGPA, then I'd have a tough time not applying, however I'd need to weigh heavily how being a reapplicant might hurt my chances moving forward. I would likely hunt down SMP's that can guarantee me a seat if I do well in their program and hit a certain GPA. I'd certainly pay attention to where my cGPA is likely to fall after completing the SMP, in case I'm unable to make the cut for that SMP's guarantee admission to medical school.

 

[MedicallyEnthused]

I'm not familiar with getting into SMP's. If a particular program is a money grab like many other master's programs are, then they may let you in knowing you'll be in trouble finding admission to medical school after. If it's not a money grab and they will guarantee you a seat if you achieve X.XX GPA in their program and > XXX MCAT, then roll those dice if you feel you can do it.

As for having < 3.00 GPA and applying to medical school, that's a tough one. Wholistic review is the buzz phase of late, however my understanding is that most schools still have a screening threshold of 3.00 before they'll hand you out a secondary.

There's a person here with excellent stats (including a 4.00 SMP and 519 MCAT) to attempt to overcome their < 3.00 cGPA, however they haven't had any success this cycle. N=1 for sure but having a cGPA < 3.00 really does seem to hurt.

You can of course apply next cycle, you know the other facets of your application better than anyone else. If it were me, I'd prepare to apple for the 2022-2023 cycle, pending my 18 credit semester results. If these put me close to 3.00 cGPA, then I'd have a tough time not applying, however I'd need to weigh heavily how being a reapplicant might hurt my chances moving forward. I would likely hunt down SMP's that can guarantee me a seat if I do well in their program and hit a certain GPA. I'd certainly pay attention to where my cGPA is likely to fall after completing the SMP, in case I'm unable to make the cut for that SMP's guarantee admission to medical school.

I plan on only applying to SMPs with either linkage agreements (conditional interviews/acceptances for a certain MCAT and GPA in their program), as well as programs that have a solid percent of SMP students that go on to interview/get accepted to the medical school.

My only worry is because my postbacc sGPA is at a 3.68, I'm unsure if this is enough of an upward trend for SMP admissions. This is because Most SMPs have a 3.0 GPA requirement, but tend to make exception for an upward trend. It is just that most SMP deadlines are before my spring grades are released, so I won't really be able to show those grades to SMPs most likely.

In regard to medical school admission for sub 3.0 students, I have read dozens of success stories online, so I am not terribly worried about that. I just need to make sure to improve my postbacc GPA next semester, do well on the MCAT, as well as to be strategic on where I end up applying. You are right it is a risk and may take a 2nd cycle, so I feel like my MCAT score will tell me whether I apply this upcoming cycle or the following years as my 1st app cycle.

 

[MedicallyEnthused]

Some SMP programs accept applicants with sub 3.0. I was a sub 3.0 with only 2 post-bac classes and applied to a handful of SMPs. I had several years in between undergrad to when I applied though. What happens is either you're just accepted, or someone on admissions will call you to find out more about your story and will submit a waiver for your GPA to accept you.

Thank you very much for this! This gives me hope that my postbacc is more than enough for an SMP.
I was just worried that my postbacc sGPA wasn't going to be enough as it is slightly under 3.7 at the time I apply to SMPs.

If you are willing to share, can you tell me what SMPs you got accepted to?

 

[MedicallyEnthused]

Georgetown, Geisinger, and Boston University.

I applied to Tufts as well (so 4 total), but was rejected. It was weird, but when I asked for feedback, they said they weren't a grade-remediation program and are a formal masters. I am pretty sure they're an "SMP" and have seen other people with sub 3.0 get accepted, but it might have been because I only had 2 post-bac classes. Since you have quite a few under your belt, I believe you'll have more success than I did with Tufts, and can apply to many more SMPs as well. Good luck!

Ok wow, that is amazing! All these schools (with the exception of Geisinger) are on my list + a several others.
I thought I would have next to no chance at Georgetown, but this really gives me a lot of hope!

I initially was going to apply to like 15 SMPs because I thought I would have a low chance at most SMPs, but I think I can lower the number of applications I will submit due to your input.

Thank you so much! Your input really gives me a lot of hope! It is greatly appreciated!

 

[M3_SixSpeed]

Had a 2.98 gpa, 3Ws and then did a few classes as gpa repair kinda (16 credits 3.61 with 507 MCAT) and did an SMP (3.87 gpa) and got in. You got this.